03^rd September 2025

1. How Cities Can Support India’s Energy Transition: Recently, the World Resources Institute (WRI) India released a new report titled How Cities Can Support India’s Energy Transition.

• The report highlights the crucial role of urban centres in achieving national climate and economic goals.

• Key Findings: Cities could potentially harness upwards of 200 GW from urban solar PV, making them significant contributors to India’s clean energy goals.

• Energy Consumption Role: As large consumers of energy, cities play a key role in demand-side actions, flexibility management, and testing innovative solutions.
• National Targets Alignment: India aims for 500 GW of non-fossil fuel electricity capacity by 2030 and net-zero emissions by 2070, with cities contributing up to 60% of GDP and acting as natural aggregators of demand.
• Innovative City Initiatives: Indore: Launched a carbon market consultancy through its Smart City SPV, a first-of-its-kind approach in India.
  - Kochi & Pune: Advancing electrified public transport systems.
  - Surat: Using digital monitoring systems to improve municipal energy efficiency.

2. WHO on Mental Health: Recently, the World Health Organization (WHO) reported that more than one billion people worldwide are living with mental health conditions, with anxiety and depression being the most common.

• The findings, published in two reports—World Mental Health Today and Mental Health Atlas 2024.
  

• Key Findings: Over 1 billion people live with mental health conditions.

• Anxiety and depression are the most common conditions.
• Depression and anxiety are more common in women.
• Men are more likely to have: ADHD (Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder), ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder), Conduct disorder and Intellectual development disorders
• Overall: 580 million females vs 513 million males live with a mental disorder.
• Suicide is the 3rd leading cause of death among ages 15–29.
• Men are more than twice as likely to die by suicide as women.
• Women who face intimate partner violence or sexual violence have higher risk of: Depression, Anxiety, PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder) and Suicidal ideation.

3. VIKRAM3201: Recently, the Union Minister for Electronics & Information Technology presented the Prime Minister with a memento containing India’s first ‘Made in India’ Vikram 32-bit Processor Launch Vehicle Grade chip during the inauguration of Semicon India 2025 at Yashobhoomi, New Delhi.

• About VIKRAM3201: India’s first completely indigenous 32-bit microprocessor built for space-grade applications.
  • It has been engineered by VSSC–ISRO in partnership with the Semiconductor Laboratory (SCL), Chandigarh.
  • This chip is the advanced successor to the 16-bit VIKRAM1601, which has been in service since 2009 across ISRO’s launch vehicles.
  • The new processor is designed to handle demanding tasks in avionics, navigation, guidance, and mission control with higher efficiency.
  • Its performance was validated in orbit during the PSLV-C60 mission (2025) through experiments on the POEM-4 platform.
  • Beyond its primary role in space missions, the processor’s robust and dependable design makes it equally suitable for critical sectors such as defence systems, automotive electronics, and energy applications.

4. Foreigners Tribunals: Recently, the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) granted Foreigners Tribunals (FTs) the powers of a first-class judicial magistrate under the newly notified Immigration and Foreigners Order, 2025.

• Key Provisions of the 2025 Order: The Foreigners (Tribunal) Order, 1964 has been replaced under the Immigration and Foreigners Act, 2025, enacted by Parliament in April.

• Foreigners Tribunals (FTs) now have the authority to issue arrest warrants if individuals do not appear when their nationality is under dispute.
• The size of each tribunal is capped at a maximum of three members, removing the earlier provision that allowed an unspecified number.
• Ex-parte decisions can be overturned, provided an appeal is submitted within 30 days.
• A ban on employing foreigners in critical and sensitive sectors — including power, water, petroleum, defence, space, nuclear energy, and human rights organisations unless explicitly cleared by the central government.
• Border guarding forces and the Coast Guard are empowered to collect biometric and demographic data of migrants attempting to enter illegally and to return them immediately.

5. Kapas Kisan App: Recently, the Union Minister of Textiles introduced the Kapas Kisan app to enhance transparency, efficiency, and farmer-friendliness in cotton procurement under the Minimum Support Price (MSP) scheme.

• About Kapas Kisan App: A new digital platform developed by the Cotton Corporation of India (CCI).

• The app is designed to simplify the procurement process while reducing delays and manual interventions. Its major features include:
  - Secure self-registration for farmers selling cotton under MSP.
  - Digital slot booking at designated procurement centres to reduce waiting time and crowding.
  - Real-time status updates on quality assessment, accepted quantities, and payment processing.
  - Multi-language support for ease of access across diverse regions.
  - Payment tracking facility, ensuring farmers know exactly when their MSP dues will be credited.

6. Ambedkar National Merit Awards Ceremony 2025: Recently, the Dr. Ambedkar Foundation, an autonomous body under the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment (MoSJ&E), successfully organised the Dr. Ambedkar National Merit Awards Ceremony 2025.

• About Dr. Ambedkar National Merit Award Scheme: Awarded to top three SC and ST students in Class 10 and top three SC students in Class 12 from every recognised board.

• One-time cash prizes: 1st rank – ₹60,000
  - 2nd rank – ₹50,000
  - 3rd rank – ₹40,000
• A special prize of ₹60,000 is given to the highest-scoring girl student if no girl figures among the top three positions.

7. Bacterial Presence in Delhi: Recently, scientists from the Bose Institute, an autonomous institute under the Department of Science and Technology (DST), conducted a study on bacterial presence in Delhi.

• Key Findings: The study found that invisible bacteria causing respiratory, gut, oral, and skin infections are twice as abundant in densely populated areas compared to less crowded regions.

• 5 particles not only reach deep into the lungs but also act as carriers for harmful bacteria.
• These particles allow pathogens to remain airborne longer and spread more easily, raising infection risks in crowded urban areas.
• Study findings show a direct correlation between population density, pollution levels, and bacterial load in the air.
• Densely populated areas recorded twice as many pathogenic bacteria compared to low-density zones due to higher PM2.5 concentrations.
• Delhi, located in the Indo-Gangetic Plain (IGP), faces serious risks during winter when pollution peaks.
• Western disturbances lower temperatures, raise humidity, and create stagnant winds, which trap pollutants near the ground.

8. BHARATI Initiative: Recently, the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) launched the BHARATI initiative.

• About BHARATI: Stands for Bharat’s Hub for Agritech, Resilience, Advancement and Incubation for Export Enablement.

• Launched as a pilot phase in September 2025, it aims to support 100 agri-food and agri-tech startups.
• Key Objectives: Strengthen high-value agri-food producers and technology-led service providers.
• Promote innovation in: GI-tagged products, Livestock products, AYUSH-based products, Novel processed foods, Organic foods & superfoods.
• Focus Areas for Startups: AI-driven quality control, Blockchain-based traceability, IoT-enabled cold chain systems, Agri-fintech solutions and Sustainable packaging technologies
• Export Challenges: Perishability and wastage
  - Logistics and supply chain gaps
  - Value addition in agri-products
  - Compliance with SPS (Sanitary and Phytosanitary) and TBT (Technical Barriers to Trade) standards

9. Multi-Lane Free Flow (MLFF) Tolling System: Recently, the Indian Highways Management Company Limited (IHMCL), promoted by NHAI, signed an agreement with ICICI Bank.

• The collaboration will introduce India’s first comprehensive Multi-Lane Free Flow (MLFF) tolling system at Choryasi Fee Plaza, NH-48, Gujarat.

• About MLFF Tolling System: A barrier-free tolling mechanism that eliminates the need for stopping at toll plazas.

• Uses FASTag and Vehicle Registration Number (VRN) recognition with the help of:
  - High-performance RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) Readers
  - ANPR (Automatic Number Plate Recognition) Cameras
• Significance: Ensures seamless toll collection by allowing free vehicle movement.
  - Reduces traffic congestion and travel time.
  - Improves fuel efficiency and lowers vehicular emissions.
  - Enhances toll revenue collection.
  - Supports creation of a smarter and more efficient National Highway network.

10. Exercise MAITREE: Recently, the 14th edition of the India–Thailand joint military exercise MAITREE-XIV began with a ceremonial opening at the Joint Training Node (JTN), Umroi, Meghalaya.

• About Exercise MAITREE: A joint military exercise conducted between India and Thailand.

• First launched in 2006, it is a key component of the defence cooperation framework and part of the ongoing military-to-military exchange programme.
• The exercise aims to strengthen interoperability, cooperation, and mutual understanding between the Indian Army and the Royal Thai Army.

• Current Edition: The Indian Army contingent is represented by a battalion of the Madras Regiment.

• Focus areas include: Company-level counter-terrorist operations in semi-urban terrain.
  - Conducted under Chapter VII of the UN Charter.
  - Training modules covering tactical drills, joint planning, weapon handling, physical fitness, raiding operations, and special arms skills.
• The exercise will conclude with a 48-hour validation phase, simulating realistic operational scenarios.
• The 13th edition (previous edition) is being held at Fort Vachiraprakan, Tak Province, Thailand.